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Girl Scout cookie season means so much more to troop from Mary's Place

It's Girl Scout cookie season, and the experience for troops selling the cookies goes beyond just the sweet treats.

For the young Girl Scouts who set up shop outside of the Walgreens on Ambaum Boulevard Southwest in Burien, it is about more than just selling cookies.

“It's so important the kids have an opportunity to just be kids,” Tanita Horton said.

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These girls make up a very special troop from Mary's Place which helps families out of homelessness. They live in the nonprofit's first permanent shelter in Burien.

Horton is their troop leader and also the evening site manager in Burien.

She started the Mary’s Place troop three years ago to give the girls a sense of normalcy amid the struggles facing their families.

“So if we can, even for an hour every week remove that burden and give them something to look forward to, that is what I try to do anyway,” Horton added.

Since families move in and out of the shelter, the troop is made up of girls of all ages. They're involved for varying amounts of times and Horton said she's witnessed the positive impact Scouting has on these girls.

Carmen Campos, 17, joined the troop to be with her younger sisters and is learning how to come out of her shell.

“Being able to talk a little more since I’m not that social,” Campos explained.

For 12-year-old Dayshianay Burns, the highlight has been cookie sales.

“Making money so we can go on a lot of fun outings,” Burns said.

The troop's goal is to sell 4,000 boxes of cookies. The money earned will go toward helping all the kids at Mary's Place.

The last day of the cookie sale is March 17. The girls will be out selling cookies again next Sunday, from 12-2 p.m. at the Walgreens at 14656 Ambaum Blvd SW in Burien, or people can stop by the Burien Family Center at 12845 Ambaum Blvd SW weekdays from 4-8 pm!

You can also order your cookies online at this link.